Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds:

The front façade of the General Infirmary, sitting in the heart of Leeds underwent a major clean up. This impressive grade I listed Victorian structure designed by architect Sir George Gilbert Scott has been subject to pollution and grime over the decades and was in need of some tender loving care. The façade is ornately decorated with tiling and masonry carvings and is in a similar style to St Pancras station, which was designed by the same architect.

The project was carefully phased to avoid disruption to the hospital’s occupants, users and visitors. A major challenge has been the complex scaffolding system providing efficient access points to various parts of the façade. External brickwork and stone was been re-pointed prior to applying the TORC® process cleaning system to remove carbon deposits. Passers by can now see how the hospital looked when it was first built.

Conservation has been the predominant theme of this project with some masonry pieces removed, cleaned off and re-affixed; and only replaced with new where necessary. To ensure that the building remains watertight for future generations, there has been some roof re-slating and leadwork repairs and replacements.

Window arches before cleaning. The black areas are from carbon deposits.

Window arches during cleaning revealing true colour of sandstone.